MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — After the rains and storms during the past several weeks, leaders of the Manchester Essex Conservation Trust are looking to drier weather to usher in the group’s “Spring Hike Series.”
“After a roller coaster of weather these past few weeks, we are so excited to finally feel a little confident that it’s truly spring,” trust spokesperson Ani Sarkisian said.
The hike series, free to the public, kicks off this Saturday, April 13, with hikes on April 20 and 28 and May 4. Each runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Those attending are asked to register in advance at www.mect.org/savethedate, so event organizers can e-mail locations and meeting places for the hikes.
These are the hikes:
This Saturday, April 13, Essex botanist Lucas O’Neil will guide participants through the Manchester Essex Wilderness Conservation Area (WCA) in Manchester-by-the-Sea, focusing on the earliest ephemerals and buds. The hike will cover a short distance while showing how much there is to see in a small space.
O’Neil will show how to use iNaturalist to identify and log species found in the woods. Event organizers willhave magnifying glasses to share.
On April 20, MECT Trustee Tom Barrieu will lead an exploration of one of the trust’s newest acquisitions — the upland area of Southern Avenue. This hike will start at the intersection of Southern Avenue and Laurel Lane in Essex. Hikers will walk past several glacial “erratics,” including Tiltin’ Rock, which is one of the largest stand-alone boulders in the area.
The hike will follow the Tombstone Trail and cover about three miles.
The April 28 hike will view vernal pools and be led by Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team and Jessica Kagle of Kestrel Education. The hike will feature these rare habitats, including showcasing different egg masses, larvae and adornments of the species that depend on them.
Vernal pools offer the opportunity to observe spring breeding grounds for the creatures who spend the rest of the year in the surrounding woods and uplands.
This hike is described as “kid friendly” and will traverse a short distance. Participants are encouraged to wear boots in order to get close the objects to be viewed.
On May 4, the hike will focus on cleaning up trash that has accumulated over the winter, especially along Southern Avenue in Essex, a stretch that includes multiple MECT trailheads. Those attending are directed to meet at the Manchester Essex Wilderness Conservation Area parking lot at Southern Avenue near the Essex-Manchester line. Participants are encouraged to wear gloves, boots and bring a water bottle.
Registration for these hikes is available by visiting the Manchester Essex Conservation Trust’s website, www.mect.org/savethedate.
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.